Safety device for shell-fuses.



Patented Sep. 9, |902. W. RUEGG.

SAFETY DEVICE FR SHELL FUSES.

(Application filed Sept. 26, 1901.1

,g y f H J 5 A A I TMWLnnaPfJ W Nrrn STATES WERNER RUEGG, OIF SMMERD-A, GERMANY.

'SAFETY DEVICE FOR SHE.LL=FUSES.

'SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,833, dated September 9, 1902.

Apnlloation filed September 26,1901. Serial No. 76,699. (No model) for Tube-Detonators for Shell and Shrapnel, Fuses,-

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in safety devices adapted for use in connection with tube-detonators provided with time, percussion, or shellfuses, and has for its object to provide a device of this class with a resistance consisting of powder or other readily-combustible material which normally prevents the free movement ofthe percussion-bolt, but'which wheitbnrned out allows the percussion-bolt to be moved, so that the latter isadapted to ignite the percussion-capsule. Any character of materia-l which is readilycombustible can be employed but preferably a powder ring or grain of powder is used as the resistance.

In order to avoid a free motion of the priming-bolt or of the percussion-bolt, or of both, during transport of the projectile furnished with lthe' fuse, locking-pins are arranged in the\boltsleeve and in the fuse-casing, and the bolt-sleeve is adapted to turn and only after turning is brought into such a position as to allow of a free motion of the primingpellet bolt and of the percussion-bolt, the latter after the ring or grain of powder-is burned.

' In describing the invention in detail ret'- erence is had to the aecoinpanyi ng drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like letters of reference indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, and

in which- Fign re l shows the fuse in longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same at right angles to Fig. l. Fig. 3 shows across-section on the line I lof Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line II Il of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 shows a cross-section oi' the gunpowder ring on the line lil lli. Fig. (i shows a section of a shell with a grain of powder, and ."ig. 7 shows the arrangement of 1 grain of powder for a time-fuse.

Referring to Figs. l to 5 of the drawings,

A denotes a. fuse-casing in which is mounted a rotatable bolt-sleeve B and carries the cylinder-lengthening screw C and set-screw D. Within the lower end of the fuse-casing A is arranged a socketv N, which is held in position by means of a bottom plug or ring R. A

in the opening T, as well'as extending therethrough, is a locking-pin L, which earriesa 'collar or disk L', adapted to seatitseif against the washer M, mounted upon the shoulder formed at the lower or rear end of that portion of the opening 'l of larger diameter or where that portion T of the larger diameter terminates into the portion of the opening T of smaller diameter. The bolt-sleeve B carries in its chamber B2 a socket S, in which isl arranged a powder ring or grain otpowder K, to which -the passage U leads, as shown in Fig. 2. In the chamber B3 ofthe boltsleeve B is arranged a percussion-bolt G, which carries an ignition-pellet Y. Extending transversely through the percussion-bolt 0 is a bridge provided with a firing-pin 1. The bridge is arranged within the sleeve or socket N and bears against a washer on the lower end ofthe sleeve B and is thus maintained against longitudinal displacement.

The reference-letter G denotes a percussioncap, which is carried by the priming-bolt F and extends down into the socket S in the chamber 132 of the percussion-bolt.

Assuming the priming-bolt is not secured,

the operation ot' the fuseI is as follows: The

priming-bolt F, held by the looking-spring H in the usual manner, strikes on iii-ing, in consequence of its momentum of inertia and the deformation of the locking-spring H, against the firing-pin J, whereby the percussion-cap G, situated in the bolt, is ignited. The fire is transmitted through the passage U, Figs. l, 2, to the inflammable ring K or directly t0 the grain of powder K', Fig. 6. The ring or grain of powder continues to burn during the course oi the projectile through the barrel and through several hundred meters of the ascending portion of its trajectory. During this period the locking-pin L is kept withits disk or enlarged head L' pressed against its seat or washer M in the bolt-sleeve by the ring or grain of powder', wherebythe free motion of the percussion-bolt O is prevented and no fire can escape" from the ring or grain of powder to the percussion-bolt. However, as soon as the iire has consumed the ring or grain of powder above the pin L the latter becomes free to move toward the front of the projectile. The percussion-bolt O is consequently also released and during the flight of the projectile is pressed against its lower bearing only by the spiral spring Q and is kept out of Contact with the striker P. The spiral. spring has therefore only theI object of preventing the percussion -bolt during the fur.- ther flight oi' the projectile from gradually moving forward. On impact the percussionboit O is thrown by its momentum in a for ward direction, carrying with it the percussion cap Y, inserted in its lower end and driving the latter against the striker P. The fire then enters the explosive charge in the projectile through the opening XV. rlhe powder ring K burns throughout its length from one end to the other, and according to the length used the timing can be varied. The same result is obtained by suitably selecting the length of the powder grain. The disk L' and washer M are employed to prevent any possibility of fire from the burning powder obtaining access to the detonator or primer Y. The arrangement can, according lo Figs. 6 and 7, be such that the disk ot' the lockingpin L also forms the head of the latter. In time-fuses, where a priming-pellet G is used, the latter on .firing immediately eilects the ignition of the ring K or grain K of the powder. The locking device for use in transport is shown iu Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4. The boltsleeve l5 'is rotatably' arranged in the fusecasingl, together with the bolt. F, guided by the sleeve, and,if desired, also with the percussion-bolt O. This locking device consists of a locking-piu X', screwed transversely into the bolt F or percussion-bolt O. The pin X when the fuse is out of use is so placed above a second locking-pin X, screwed into the fusecasing A, that in this position the bolt F or the percussion-bolt O cannot move, or, in other words, the boltF is prevented from moving downwardly, while the percussion-bolt 0 cannot move in an upward direction. When the bolt-sleeve is turned, the pins X; X are no longer in alinement with each other and the bolt F can freely move. in a downward direction, and the percussion-bolt O can move upwardly when the pin L allows such movement. As the motion of the ooit F is effected in adownward direction, the pin X is screwed into the fuse-casing below the pin X', whereas the pin X, which prevents the pin X.' of the percussion-bolt from movi-ng when thefuse is out of use, is situated in the casing above @fosses the pin X' because or" the moving of the percussion-bolt in an upward direction. in

rder to allow of a turning motion of the bolt-sleeve B, a groove. 71 is larranged inthe sleeve B at the point where the pins X engage with the latter, and the free :notion of the pin X' for the bolt F or for the percussionbolt O is obtained by the bolt-sleeve B being provided with recesses m beneath the pin X 1for the priming-bolt F and above the pin X for the percussion-bolt O.

I'laving thus fully described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is l l. ln a safety device for iuses,the combination with a bolt-sleeve carrying a mass ot' com bustible material and a peicussion-bolt, said sleeve provided with a partition interposed between the said material and bolt, of a longitudinally-exiending locking-pin mounted within said partition and adapted to engage said bolt and material to prevent the movement of said bolt until the said material is burned away.

2. In a safety device for fuses,the combination with a bolt-sleeve having a mass of conibustible material and a percussion --bolt mounted therein, and a partition interposed between the said combustible material and bolt and provided with a longitudinally-extending opening of two different diameters,

of a lockinffin vezi'tendiriUr throuuh the saidopening, and a collar carried by the said pin and operating in that portion of the opening of larger diameter, said pin adapted to oni gage said bolt and material to 'prevent the movement of said bolt until the said materia-i is burned away. 'y

3. In a safety device for i`uses,the combination with a 'bolt-sleeve carrying a mass Ofcombustibie material' and a percussion-bolt, and

a partition interposed between said materiai'- and bolt and provided with a longitndinailyextending opening of two different diameters,

of a locking-pin extending through the saidV opening, a washer mounted in that 'portion "of the opening of larger diameter, and a coliar carried by said pin and adapted. to engage the said washer, said pin adapted to engage said boltand material to prevent the movementof said .boltuntil the said mass of conibusti'ole material is burned away.

4. in a safety device for fnses,the combination of a bolt-sleeve provided with a partition having a longitudwally-extending opening, mass of combustible material carried by the sleeve above the said partition, a percussion-- bolt carried by the sleeve below the said partition, and a locking-pin mounted in the said opening and engaging with said holt and said material to prevent the longitudinal displacement of said bolt until the mass'oi combostible material is burned away.

5. ln a safety device for fuses, tion of a rotatable sleeve, a priiningbolt mounted therein, means for locking and re leasing the bolt according tothe adjustment the combina- ZOO IIL

'masas y of said rotatable sleeve, a percussion-bolt carried by the sleeve, a mass or combustible material carried by said sleeve, a lockingpin interposed between the said combustible material and said percussion-bolt, whereby the movement of the latteir is prevented until the former is burned away, and means for igniting said mass.

6. A safety device for fuses, comprising inits construction a casing, a rotatable boltsleeve mounted therein, a priming-bolt car- 'ried by the sleeve, a percussion-bolt mounted in the sleeve, means for locking or releasing the priming-bolt according to the adjustment of said rotatable sleeve, and a means for locking said percussion-bolt for safetyand release itfor action.

7. A safety device for fuses, comprising in its construction a bolt-sleeve having a longitudinally-extendingopening,alongitudinallyextending locking-pinA operating through said opening, a percussion-bolt mounted in one end of said sleeve and arranged at the rear of and engaged by said pin for locking said holt in safety position, and means carried by the other end of the bolt-sleeve and arranged at the front of the looking-pin for releasing said pin from engagement with said bolt to permit of the operation of the lattern v 8. In a safety device for fuses, the combination with a percussion-bolt and a mass of combustible material, a longitudinally-extending locking-pin interposed between said material and bolt and adapted to lock the latter in a safety position until the material is burned away, and means arranged at the front of said material for igniting the saine.

9. In a safety device for fuses, the combination of a percussion-bolt and a massof combustible material at the front thereof, or" a longitudinally-extending locking-pin interposed between said material and bolt and adapted to loch the latter in safety position until the material is burned away, means arranged at the front of said material for igniting the same, a priming-bolt for iguitingsaid means, and means for locking the said priming-bolt. t

l0. In asafety device forfuses',the combina tion with a rotatable belt-slceve,provided with a partition having a longitudinallyextending opening, of a percussion-belt carried by the said sleeve belovi1 Asaid partition, a spring carried by the sleeve and engaging the bolt, ay

ring of combustible material carried by the said sleeve above said partition, means for ignitingsaid ring,anda lockingdevice 1nounted in the opening of said partition and adapted to.prevent the movement of said bolt until the said ring is burned away.

ll. Inasafetydeviceforfusesdhecombina tion with a sleeve provided with a partition having an opening extending therethrough and a percussion-bolt mounted in the said sleeve, of means arranged in the said opening and engaging the bolt for preventing longitndinal displacement thereof, a mass ol' comb'ustible `material carried by the sleeve and engaged by said means and adapted when burned away-to permit of the longitudinal displacement of said means and bolt, and means carried by said sleeve for4 igniting the mass of combustible material.

12. In a safety device for fuses, a casing, a bolt-sleeve carried thereby and provided with a partition having an opening therethrough, a percussion-bolt mounted in the said sleeve at the rear of said partition, a combustible mass carried by the said sleeve at the front of the partition, means carriedby the sleeve for igniting the said mass,a locking device mounted in the sleeve and adapted to engage said mass and bolt to prevent longitudinal displacement of said bolt until the said mass is burned away, a spring engaging the bolt, a bridge mounted in the casing and provided with a firing-pin, and an ignition-pellet carried by the percussion-bolt and adapted to be engaged by the firing-pin when said bolt is released by the burning away of the said mass.

13. in a safety device for fuses, the combination with a percussion-bolt and a ring of combustible material mounted at the front thereof, of a locking-pin interposed between said ring and bolt and adapted to' lock the latter in safety position to prevent the longitudinal displacement thereof until said ring is burned away, and means at the front of the said ring of combustible material for igniting the same.

14. In a safety device for fuses, the combination with a bolt-sleeve provided withapartition formingafrontand arear chamber, said partition having an opening extending therethrough, of a socket-piece mounted in the front chamber, a mass of combustible material carried by the socket-piece, a primingbolt extending in the socket-piece for igniting the mass of combustible material, a percussionfbolt monntedin the rear chamber of the said sleeve, a locking-pin arranged in the opening of the partition and interposed between the mass of combustible material and said bolt, said locking-'pin adapted to engage the percussion-howto prevent the longitudin'aldisplacement thereof until said mass is burned away, an ignition-pellet carried by the percussion-bolt, and means for igniting the said pellet.

l5. In a safety device for fuses, the combination of a bolt-sleeve, a percussion-bolt carried thereby, a priming-bolt carried thereby, a mass of combustible material arranged Within the said sleeve above the said percussionbolt and adapted to be ignited by the said priming-bolt, `means for locking said priming bolt in a safety position, a locking-pin interposed between said percussion-bolt and said mass of combustible material, said lockingp'in adapted to engage the said percussion-bolt to prevent longitudinal dispacementthereof until said mass bf combustible material is burned away, an ignition-pellet carried by IIC he percussion-bolt, a firing-pin adapted to `ngege the pellet for igniting it, and n spring nterposed between the said bolt and sleeve, aid spring adapted to prevent the striking,` .nd ignition of the pellet by the firing-pin intil the projectile on impact causes the perussion-bolt to overcome the sprintf and to .rive the pellet upon the firing-pin.

ll'. In a safety device for fuses, the combiiation with a bolt-sleeve, zt percussion-bolt arried thereby and a lookingdeviee for said ioltto prevent the longitudinal displacement hereof, ol a mass or combustible material rranged within the said sleeve and at the ront of the said looking deviee and adapted flien burned away to release the looking-pin o permit of the movement of' the bolt, and ieans at the front of said mass of combnstil le material for igniting it.

17. ln a safety device for fuses, a easing, a ming-pressed percussion-bolt carried therey, a mass of combustible material arranged ithin the easing at.the front of the percus ion-bolt, means carried by the casing for igiting said mass and communicating there- 'ith by a fnsecbannel, means interposed bet'een the mass of combustible material and 1e said boltand engaging tbe latter tovpreent the longitudinal displacement 'thereof ntil the said mass is burned away, an igni onpellet carried bythe said bolt, and means rirried by the casing for ignitng said pellet.

18. ln a safety device for fuses, a longituinally-extending percussion-bolt, a longituinally-extendinglocking-pin arranged et the 'ontof said bolt and adapted to engage it and revent the longitudinal displacement tl1ere i, and a mass of combustible material aringed at the front of the bead of said pin nd adapted when burned away to release the in to permit of the displacement of tbe said alt.

19. In a safety device for fuses, a percuson-bolt, a looking-pin arranged at the front said bolt and adapted to engage it to pre ent the longitudinal displacement thereof, a ass of combustible material arranged at the 'roses-e 'nient of said bolt, means at the front of said mass of combustible material for suitably igniting it, and means for locking the said igniting means to safety position.

20. ln combination, a easing, a rotatable bolt-sleeve mounted therein and provided with a partition having a longitudinally-extending,r opening, said partition dividing said bolt-sleeve into a front and a rear oha'mber, a soelretpieoe mounted in the said front chamber, a mass of combustible material carried by the socket-piene and arranged above the opening inthe partition of the said sleeve, a priming-bolt carried by the soeket-piece and provided with an ignition-pellet for igniting the said mass of combustible material, means carried bythe easing to lool; said priming-bolt to safety position, a percussion-bolt mounted in the said rear chamber of the sleeve, a looking-pin arranged in the opening of the partition between tbe said mass of combustible material end said bolt and adapted to prevent the longitudinal displacement of the latter until the mass of Combustible material is burned away, :in ignition-pellet carried by said bolt, and means Carried bythe easing for ignitim,r seid pellet.

2l. In a safety device for fuses, the eombination with a longzitndinally-extending percussion-bolt, a mass of combustible material and a lengitndinally-extending means interposed between the said mass and bolt to prevent the displacement of the bolt until the mess of combustible material is burned away, of an ignition-pellet, means for igniting said pellet, and an adjustable means for looking said ignition means to safety position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my band in presence ot' two subscribing Witnesses.

WERNER RUEGG. ltnesses:

PAUL TSGIHMANN, WILHELM En: nmmnn. 

